Robert Champion Hazing Death: Parents of band member suing Florida A&M over his death

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

FAMU hazing death was retaliation: parents

Florida A&amp;M Marching 100 Drum Major Robert Champion during a performance at halftime of the game against Howard University at Bragg Memorial Stadium on Oct. 8, 2011 in Tallahassee, Florida.

/ AP Photo/Don Juan Moore

(CBS/AP) ORLANDO, Fla. - The parents of Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion, who died after allegedly being beaten by fellow band mates in a hazing incident, say they are suing the university.

Pictures: Florida A&M hazing case

Champion's parents say they're filing the lawsuit in Orlando on Wednesday, over six months after their son died after being hazed aboard a bus parked outside an Orlando hotel.

Eleven FAMU band members face felony hazing charges, while two others face misdemeanor counts for alleged roles in the hazing.

Champion's death put a spotlight on hazing at the school and led to the suspension of the school's famed marching band at least until next year. Critics say FAMU president James Ammons and other administrators ignored the hazing.

Documents recently revealed that FAMU's Dean of Students Henry Kirby and Police Chief Calvin Ross had urged administrators, only days before Champion's death, to suspend the marching band due to hazing issues.

Champion's parents, Robert and Pamela, already have sued the bus company, claiming the driver stood guard outside while the hazing took place. The company said the driver was helping band members with their equipment.

Complete coverage of the Florida A&M hazing case on Crimesider

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by DadLamb July 11, 2012 7:15 PM EDT: When brutal adults harm other members of "the group", it's because of the way those individuals were raised, and their development into what they are. Of course the solution to that child-rearing fail is to find the nearest unrelated person with a desk, or who has a few dollars and sue them. Your new Lincoln Town Car will make the world a better place.; Reply to this comment


by OnTheRoad01 July 11, 2012 1:54 PM EDT: I have a couple of questions for this young man's parents:
1) Did your son ever come to you and tell you that he was be hazed by other band members?
2) Did your sone ever go to the band director, school president or other school admistrator and tell them that he was be hazed bye other band members?
3) Was your son forced at gun point to march onto the bus and accept the hazing?
If you can't answer 'Yes' to these questions than your son was part of the problem and not the 'Victim' that you would have us all beleive that he was.; Reply to this comment


by KnowerseekerReturns July 11, 2012 12:19 PM EDT: I don't blame them, and I hope they win. It was pretty much common knowledge in Florida that FAMU hazed regularly, and the university failed to try to change the culture.; Reply to this comment